My sister-in-law eyed me as if I were an anarchist. “Why are you wearing only one sock?” she asked, a tinge of annoyance in her voice. I wanted to say that it was none of her business, but instead I provided an explanation for my unusual fashion choice. “The arthritis has thinned the ball of my foot, separating toes and making them numb and hurt. Incarcerating them in a sock relieves the symptoms. It affects only my left foot, so only my left foot has to wear a sock.” She humphed and left me to eat my muesli in peace.
Occasionally, I wear a soft black thumb cast on my hand to relieve the pain from osteoarthritis, and wearing knee bands is essential for walking or hiking. I never get on a plane without knee-high compression stockings. The latest addition to my wardrobe is a finger glove. You pull these individual gel-filled gloves on a finger swollen with arthritic pain.
These external paraphernalia are not in the same category as false eyelashes and padded bras, but they probably provide more benefits to your overall health and wellness than either of those do. Why poison your liver and kidneys with harsh drugs when you can aggravate your sister-in-law and relieve discomfort with a few unfashionable accessories?
Carole J. Garrison 